Heath Scotland (centre) will line up for his first pre-season match against Adelaide, but Chris Judd (right) won't be playing. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Regardless of how Scotland fares the 32-year-old will sit out the start of the home and away season, as he was suspended by his club for two games after he pleaded guilty in an assault case last year.

Big man Shaun Hampson was also included in Carlton's squad, but Judd will miss again despite being fit, while defender David Ellard (hamstring) and draftee Nick Graham (knee) were also ruled out. Carlton said on its website this week that Graham would undergo a knee arthroscopy and be sidelined for eight weeks.

Essendon included defenders Tayte Pears and Kyle Hardingham and veteran Nathan Lovett-Murray in its side to play Greater Western Sydney at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

The Giants welcome back some experience in midfielder Tom Scully, ruckman Dean Brogan, defender Phil Davis and key-position player Setanta O'hAilpin, and play No.2 draft pick Jono O'Rourke in his first game for the club.